Pack Separates, Not Outfits, for a Versatile Wardrobe

Andrew Keith is the president of luxury retailers Lane Crawford and Joyce.

Born in Nigeria, the 42-year-old U.K. native spent his childhood in Borneo and is now based in Hong Kong. He spoke to the Journal about road-tripping through India, precision packing for fashion week and the versatility of yoga.

How often are you up in the air?

I spend around 40% of my time traveling. I travel for fashion weeks to New York, London, Milan and Paris, as well as visiting our retail stores in China.

Favorite hotel?

I prefer hotels that are less formal or businesslike. For work, my favorites are Brown’s and The Connaught in London, Le Meurice in Paris, and in New York, I have been staying at the Soho Grand for over 18 years, since it opened.

For pleasure, I go for hotels that I enjoy spending time in. I love the hotels and resorts by Six Senses Group for their sustainability and environmental awareness, as well as the high level of service they have on offer—they really have luxury and nature combined to its ultimate.

Favorite airline?

Cathay Pacific. Being a Hong Kong-based airline makes traveling in and out of Hong Kong, China and Asia a lot easier.

Cathay. They have a number of lounges at the Hong Kong airport and in other countries I travel often to, so it’s always very convenient.

Favorite airport?

Hong Kong International Airport. It has to be one of the most efficient airports around the world.

Which city has the best taxis?

London, for its black cabs.

Favorite city?

Being brought up in Southeast Asia instilled my love for travel from a very young age, and as every city has its own distinct vibrancy, it is impossible to choose just one. Paris with its architecture and art; London for its diversity; New York is vibrant and enlightening. Shanghai is incredibly exciting, too. This year, my favorite city is Istanbul for its unique culture of being the bridge between Europe and Asia, its art, the modern architecture and the food.

Favorite restaurant?

St. John and J Sheekey in London—both offer a sense of ease with great food.

How do you stay fit while traveling?

Yoga. I can practice it wherever I am.

How do you combat jet lag?

I have tried all methods and remedies, but nothing seems to work. I am still searching for the answer.

It was one of the worst travel experiences that turned into the most memorable. I was in Rajasthan [India] when my flight was canceled. We had to travel in the back of a Hindustan Ambassador [car] from the 1950s to get on another flight. As we went through the most beautiful, scenic landscape, the mountains and rivers and the camel trains, the journey itself turned into an amazing and unexpected experience.

Usually Rimowa. I also have a very unique piece of Globe Trotter I use often—it is personalized by Chinese contemporary artist Yu Minjin.

Packing strategies?

It’s all about versatility and the key is to bring separates instead of whole outfits. For short trips, I usually bring two to three jackets and an edited selection of shirts, tees and trousers so with six or so items I can have as many as nine combinations. Good shoes are essential, too. With the packing, knitwear should always be folded while jackets should be packed with tissue papers.

What’s left on the bucket list?

Bhutan. Anywhere that measures its prosperity by its citizens’ happiness levels has to be good. I would love to experience its scenery, the Bhutanese culture and the many religious festivals they have there.

–Edited from an interview by Mark Lean

Correction: Andrew Keith is the president of luxury retailers Lane Crawford and Joyce. An earlier version of this post identified him as president of Lane Crawford Joyce Group.